Some bismuth borate glasses with Er3+-doped and Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped are fabricated by the technique of high-temperature melting. The absorption and fluorescence spectra, fluorescence lifetime and transmission in infrared range are measured. Explanation of concentration quenching in case of high level Er3+-doped the bismuth borate glasses is given. The sensitizing of Yb3+ to Er3+ in Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped bismuth borate glasses is discussed. It is found that the band around 1.5～1.6 μm in Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped bismuth borate glass reaches 81 nm and the fluorescence lifetime of Er3+ is enhanced obviously when the glass is treated with oxygen in melting process. In the meantime the glasses show favorable chemical and physical properties. It is expected to be a favorable candidate host for broadband amplifiers.